SB Nation - Collin Balester

Washington Nationals: Winter Meetings Wrap.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:28:33 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo found the catcher he wanted at the Winter Meetings, now the Nationals need to add some pitching. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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Before the Winter Meetings, the Washington Nationals made clear that they did not think it was absolutely essential that they add the pitching help they need from the top of the free agent class or within the three-day span of the Indianapolis Winter Meetings, as DC GM Mike Rizzo explained to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, who wrote in a 12/2/09 article entitled, "Pitching the focus for Nats at Meetings", that fans shouldn't, "...look for the the Nationals to attempt to break the bank," in pursuit of free agent help, as they did last Winter in their pursuit of Mark Teixeira, who we've been told, time and again, was seen as a once-in-a-generation talent, but instead should accept the fact that it's more, "...likely that Rizzo will make trades."

(cont.)...

BACKPAGE:

• The LIST.

• Oh...AND LIVAN HERNANDEZ!

• Guzman To Second, Desmond At Short?

• Bally To The Bullpen? WT...

BACKPAGE:

• The LIST as the DC Faithful are calling it, (ed. note - "No one is calling it that."), that Rizzo gave to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan for an article entitled, "Reading Material, Shopping Lists", of pitchers that the Nationals were interested in this winter, started with 14 names, but as the Winter Meetings officially end following tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft, the list has been shortened some, from, "Jason Marquis, Randy Wolf, John Lackey, Cliff Lee, Jon Garland, Kevin Millwood, Tim Hudson, Brad Penny, Joel Piñeiro, Braden Looper, Jarrod Washburn, Brandon Webb, Brett Myers, John Smoltz and more..." to, as the Post's Chico Harlan wrote in two Nationals Journal posts entitled, "The starting pitching shopping list", and "The starting pitching, Pt. II":

"(Jon Garland and)...almost every established free agent starting pitcher except the A-lister, John Lackey. So, the Nats would entertain the possibility of Jarrod Washburn, Joel Pineiro, Vicente Padilla, Jason Marquis, and John Smoltz."

• Oh...AND LIVAN HERNANDEZ!

After Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin wrote about Elijah Dukes' winter, he added a note to the end of an article entitled, "Nationals notes: Dukes, L. Hernandez", about the Washington Nationals making contract with the agent for Mr. National Himself, Livan Hernandez, the original Nationals' Ace, who has openly expressed his desire to return to the nation's capital since the end of the '09 season. Mr. Sheinin writes that Hernandez's agent, "(Barry) Praver would not characterize the talks", but in the Washington Post writer's opinion it would take, "...a one-year contract with a low base and ample performance incentives."

-- (ed. note - "Do you want to see Livan Hernandez return to the Nationals? From what I've read in the comments, it's pretty much split amongst the DC Faithful...Should the Nationals let Livan teach Strasburg the eephus?")

• Guzman To Second, Desmond At Short?

MLB.com's Bill Ladson was Twittering throughout the Winter Meetings, letting Nationals' fans know what was going on long before it went into print (as were the Washington Times' writers), and the biggest revelation out of the final day in Indianapolis was that the Nationals had made up their minds about what to do with their twenty-ten middle infield:

"It appears the Nats will take a chance with Cristian Guzman at second base. That means Orlando Hudson is not coming to DC."

Does that mean that Ian Desmond is officially a "Go!" at short? Are the Nationals still going to try to find another option at short?

• Bally To The Bullpen? WT...

The other interesting thing that MLB.com's Bill Ladson Twittered was the idea that:

"The Nats may rely on some of their youngsters in the bullpen. Luis Atilano, Collin Balester and Craig Stammen are candidates."

As the Nationals' system produces more pitching, some of the older starters who haven't established themselves are going to have to make the move to the pen to make room for the next wave of pitchers. Is Balester on that list in your mind? (ed. note - "Not mine.")...What about J.D. Martin? Shairon Martis? Atilano? Stammen? Ross Detwiler? Is this Washington's way of saying why sign relievers when we have all these arms under contract?

Washington Nationals: SS Search Update.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:43:14 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

about 1 month ago: Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announces the appointment of Jim Riggleman to the position of team manager, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

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You have to like the confidence DC GM Mike Rizzo had in Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's early September Nationals Journal post entitled, "Reading Material, Shopping Lists", where he provided a list of pitchers-and-shortstops-of-interest on the market this winter, and then told Mr. Harlan, "'We're going to get one of them,'" or when he told USA Today sports writer Seth Livingstone, in an article last week entitled, "Organizational report: Nats' young talent provides hope", that the franchise was open for business, or as he put it himself:

"We have pieces that are attractive to other teams," general manager Mike Rizzo says. "We're leaving all avenues open. We're going to do what's best for the ballclub in the long term. We have several needs, and we're going to try to fill them by free agency, by trade or by waiver claim — any way we can."

Back in Mr. Harlan's article, before the season had even ended, Mr. Rizzo identified the team's offseason needs as, in Mr. Harlan's words, "A shortstop. A decent reliever. (Though probably not a top-of-the-line closer type; why waste the money?) At least one free agent starter. Maybe two, if Livo returns." Two of the shortstops on the list provided in that article, Alex Gonzalez and Jack Wilson, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, respectively, and in announcing Gonzalez's signing with the Jays, The Globe and Mail.com writer Jeff Blair revealed, in an article entitled, "Jays GM decides on defense", the asking price for a third SS candidate on Mr. Rizzo's initial list, Orlando Cabrera, who's said to be seeking a, "2-year, $12-million minimum deal...", from any team interested in his services.

Alex Gonzalez, was, you'll remember, one of two free agent shortstops the Nationals were said to be interested in according to FOXSports.com writers Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, who quoted "major league sources" in mid-November in their continually updated article entitled, "MLB Offseason buzz", who said the Nationals were looking at, "Alex Gonzalez, who still could re-sign with the Red Sox (and) Adam Everett, who still could re-sign with the Tigers," as they attempted to fill a need at short created by their decision to move Cristian Guzman to second. MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported earlier in November in an article entitled, "Nats show interest in DeRosa, Gonzalez", that Washington was looking at IF Mark DeRosa. Ian Desmond, the Nationals' 24-year-old "in-house" SS candidate, who hit for a combined .330 AVG with a .401 OBP, .477 SLG and an .878 OPS at two stops in Class-AA and AAA in '09, and went on to hit .280 with a .318 OBP, .561 SLG and an .879 OPS in 21 MLB games over which he collected 7 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HR's and 12 RBI's, according to Mr.'s Rosenthal and Morosi, "...probably needs more time at Class AAA."

Links:

• Will Washington's Willie Harris' friendship with Orlando Hudson lead him to join the Nationals, MLB.com's Bill Ladson couldn't help but ask. - MLB.com's Bill Ladson's, "Harris, Hudson form bond off the field".

• Washington Times' writer Ben Goessling stoked the Hot Stove in a live chat on Wednesday that might have been lost in the pre-holiday hustle, but it's worth a read as Mr. Goessling answers questions from a few names you might recognize like Brian from the Nationals Farm Authority; Hendo, aka Mike Henderson from Nationals Pride; Miss Chatter and yours truly, Ed Chigliak of Federal Baseball. I asked Mr. Goessling a question about the Rule 5 draft but when a few questions in a row covered the same territory, he answered my second query, which was simply, "Who debuts first, Storen or Strasburg?" to which he responded:

"I think it's Storen, simply because he's already been through a half-season in the minors and the Nats' response to the Strasburg hype will probably be to put him in the minors for a month or two, unless he's so good in spring training that they add him to the roster. But I think Storen has a great shot to make the team out of camp."

Mr. Goessling also talks about the 2010 rotation, the bullpen, just about everything. Great stuff...

• Twitterers...In case you missed the earlier notes, DC pitcher Collin Balester is now on Twitter. Drew Storen's been tweeting for a while now. The Washington Times' writers do as well...

• "Washington Nationals: Desperatley Seeking Shorstop" an early story about the Nationals' SS search here at Federal Baseball.com.

The Bill James Handbook 2010 - Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers In 2010 + Fall Notes.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:30 -0000

More photos » by John Amis - AP

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With the help of The Bill James Handbook 2010 (available 11/1/09) and Acta Sports.com, who made Mr. James' Hitter and Pitcher projections available before the book's publication, we're able to take a look at what the future might hold for the pitchers expected to throw for the Nationals next season. Will Garrett Mock start or work out of the pen? Will some of the older pitchers like Craig Stammen and J.D. Martin make the rotation this time around? What will John Lannan's role be as more and more prospects rise through the system? What should fans expect from the Nationals' bullpen arms like Sean Burnett, Mike MacDougal or Saul Rivera? After that, what one Chicago writer says about the Nationals' managerial search, and another night in the DWL with Ian Desmond...

After The JUMP...

The Bill James Handbook 2010 Hitter Projections For The Washington Nationals' Pitchers:

Collin Balester:

Balester, Collin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	----	--	-	---	---
'09 Stats	7	7	30.1	20	10	1	4	6.82	0
2010 Projections	11	11	47.0	32	6	2	3	5.38	0

Jason Bergmann:

Bergmann, Jason	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	33	21	139.0	113	20	7	9	4.25	0
'09 Stats	56	0	48.0	40	7	2	4	4.50	0
2010 Projections	73	0	60.0	48	8	3	4	4.35	0

Sean Burnett:

Burnett, Sean	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	67	0	60.0	29	7	2	5	6.27	0
'09 Stats	71	0	57.2	43	6	2	3	3.12	1
2010 Projections	65	0	49.0	27	5	2	3	5.14	0

Tyler Clippard:

Clipper, Tyler	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	41	0	60.1	67	9	4	2	2.69	0
2010 Projections	62	0	91.0	84	13	4	6	4.55	0

Livan Herandez?

Hernandez, Livan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	27	27	150.0	84	19	8	9	4.90	0
'09 Stats	31	31	183.2	102	19	9	12	5.44	0
2010 Projections	31	31	188.0	103	23	8	13	4.98	0

Logan Kensing:

Kensing, Logan	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	43	0	46.0	45	6	2	3	4.33	0
'09 Stats	32	0	35.1	19	8	1	2	8.92	1
2010 Projections	36	0	41.0	38	8	2	3	4.81	0

John Lannan:

	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	29	29	177.0	103	18	9	11	4.08	0
'09 Stats	33	33	206.1	89	22	9	13	3.88	0
2010 Projections	32	32	199.0	101	21	11	11	4.03	0

Mike MacDougal:

MacDougal, Mike	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	----	---
'09 Stats	52	0	50.0	31	3	1	1	3.60	20
2010 Projections	67	0	67.0	59	4	3	4	4.43	4

J.D. Martin:

J.D. Martin	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	77.0	37	14	5	4	4.44	0
2010 Projections	29	29	177.0	125	19	10	10	4.07	0

Shairon Martis:

Martis, Shairon	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	15	15	85.2	34	11	5	3	5.25	0
2010 Projections	7	7	43.0	26	26	2	3	5.23	0

Garrett Mock:

Mock, Garrett	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	28	15	91.1	72	9	3	10	5.62	0
2010 Projections	31	25	143.0	122	14	8	10	4.91	o

Scott Olsen:

Olsen, Scott	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	32	32	199.0	153	29	10	12	4.58	0
'09 Stats	11	11	62.2	42	11	2	4	6.03	0
2010 Projections	22	22	121.0	91	18	5	8	4.98	0

Saul Rivera:

Rivera, Saul	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	74	0	80	60	3	4	4	3.80	0
'09 Stats	30	0	38.1	21	7	1	3	6.10	0
2010 Projections	43.0	0	59.0	42	3	3	4	4.42	0

Craig Stammen:

Stammen, Craig	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	--	---	--	--	---	--	-	---	--
'09 Stats	19	19	105.2	48	14	4	7	5.11	0
2010 Projections	20	20	120.0	64	13	6	8	4.50	0

Ron Villone:

Villone, Ron	G	GS	IP	K	HR	W	L	ERA	SV
'09 Projections	76	0	42.0	36	4	2	2	4.22	0
'09 Stats	63	0	48.2	33	6	5	6	4.25	1
2010 Projections	71	0	54.0	44	5	3	3	4.33	0

?'s Raised By The #'s:

• Is there any room on the pitching staff for Logan Kensing in 2010? What bullpen arms from last year are you bringing back? Which would you part with?

• Which pitchers will make the twenty-ten rotation? Craig Stammen? Collin Balester? J.D. Martin? Shairon Martis? Do you expect anything from Scott Olsen?

• Mike MacDougal's projections are cleary skewed by the fact that he hadn't saved a game since 2006 before '09's 20 saves? Will MacDougal hold the closer's role throughout the twenty-ten campaign?

• A .500 season from John Lannan? Does that mean he'll finally receive some support this season? Is anyone guaranteed an 2010 rotation spot right now, outside of Lannan?

• Is Livan Hernandez coming back to DC next season?

2010 Skipper Search UPDATE:

If you haven't already read this when it was linked to in the comments of a previous post or elsewhere around the internet, since it was basically the only "news" to come out of DC this weekend, check out Chicago Tribune writer Phil Rogers "On Baseball" column entitled, "Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman in great demand", wherein, Mr. uh, Rogers writes (without citing a source, anonymous or otherwise) that the time for Bobby Valentine to claim a major league managing job may have passed:

"Bobby Valentine may be shut out on the job market. He was a finalist for the Indians job that went to Manny Acta, and it appears the Nationals are close to giving former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman the job he had on an interim basis last season."

Is the Washington Nationals' search for a full-time manager going to end with a promotion?

Saturday Night In The DWL:

The Tigres del Licey and Gigantes del Cibao squared off on Saturday with Nationals' infielder Ian Desmond starting at second for Licey and going 1 for 2 with a walk and a sac fly RBI, but it was Desmond's throwing error in the ninth that allowed the Gigantes to rally to tie the game at 3-3 and eventually steal a walk-off win when Tigres' pitcher Oneli Perez gave up a sac fly to left that ended it. Desmond's first DWL error proves costly. The 24-year-old, who impressed after his September call-up to DC, is now hitting .214 (6 for 28) with 7 RBI's in 8 games. Notes: Atahualpa Severino got a backwards K from the first batter he faced in the eighth after replacing Yhancy Brazoban, but Severino was out after allowing a run-scoring single in the next AB, though the run was Brazoban's.

Final Score: Gigantes 4, Tigres 3. MLB.com Box Score.

Washington Nationals' Possible Candidates for September Roster Expansion

Dave at Nats News Network — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:54:55 -0000

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Collin Balester could rejoin the team as early as Sept. 1 when the major league rosters expand. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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With September 1 literally just hours away, major league teams can expand their active roster to include anyone occupying a spot on their 40-man roster. Traditionally, teams have utilized the "September call-up" in one of several ways:

1) For contenders, it's a chance to give their regulars a night off here and there in preparation for the gruel of the playoffs

2) For middle of the pack teams, it's often a reward to long-time minor leaguers or AAAA-types toiling in obsurity

3) For bottomfeeders, it's an opportunity for a chance to see that prospect that everyone is excited about, even for just a quick appearance

The Nats seem to fall into all three categories this year.

The Nats have already indicated that they will wait until Syracuse's season is over before calling anyone up, though. So any help will still be at least a week away from arriving in D.C.

Because of the rash of injuries, trades and bullpen struggles, general manager Mike Rizzo has already made the bulk of his September call-ups before the roster expansion happened. Jorge Padilla, Pete Orr, Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse...even pitchers like J.D. Martin, Tyler Clippard and Jorge Sosa would have been prime candidates, were it not for the need earlier in the season.

So who is left? Let's take a look!

ON THE 40-MAN ROSTER

By my count, with Justin Maxwell's impending promotion there are currently 14 players on the 40-man roster NOT on the active 25-man roster:

C: Jesus Flores (15-day DL), Luke Montz (AA-Harrisburg)

SS: Ian Desmond (AAA-Syracuse)

OF Austin Kearns (15-day DL), Nyjer Morgan (15-day DL)

LHP: Scott Olsen (15-day DL), Ross Detwiler (AAA-Syracuse), Matt Chico (AA-Harrisburg)

RHP: Collin Balester (AAA-Syracuse), Shairon Martis (AAA-Syracuse), Marco Estrada (AAA-Syracuse), Luis Atilano (AAA-Syracuse), Ryan Mattheus (minor league DL), Stephen Strasburg

60-day DL: OF Roger Bernadina, RHP Terrell Young, 1B Dmitri Young, RHP Jordan Zimmermann

Players on the 60-day DL do not count toward the 40-man roster, so there may still be some wiggle room to place a player or two on the 60-day to open 40-man space.

Of the 14 players on the 40-man, Flores, Morgan, Olsen and Mattheus are out for the season with injury. And from the sounds of this, Kearns is probably joining them. So we can rule all of those players out.

Rizzo has already been on record that Chico is not likely a candidate, and Strasburg's plans have been laid out in excrutiating detail. Additionally, Rizzo has all but ruled out a cameo for Drew Storen, blazing his way up the minor league chain after being selected No. 10 overall in this year's amateur draft.

That leaves Desmond, Detwiler, Balester, Martis, Estrada and Atilano off the 40-man roster eligible. It's been assumed that the Nats will recall a couple starters to relieve some of the burden from young arms accumulation of innings. But with the signing of Livan Hernandez, who eats innings as well as any pitcher in the majors, maybe that goal has already been achieved.

Still, I can envision seeing Balester, Detwiler, Martis and Estrada all being recalled and utilized as starters or swing-men in September.

And I'll also pencil in Desmond. He's had a terrific season, and the Nats have to be wondering if the best arm and range in their minor league system can handle the bat enough at the big league level to replace the very quickly aging Cristian Guzman and his bunions.

Atilano is 2-0, 2.45 in two starts since his promotion to Syracuse, and the one-time first round draft pick of the Altanta Braves has enjoyed a fine season overall, but the Nats are probably happy to let him finish the season and head into spring training.

As for players currently not on the 40-man roster? There are certainly some candidates, and most of them are bullpen guys that could again help manage the workload of some of the young starters.

OTHER PITCHERS

There are six relievers in Syracuse that could certainly get "The Call" : RHPs Zech Zinicola, Zack Segovia, Josh Wilkie, Clint Everts and LHPs Jack Spradlin and Yunior Novoa.

Segovia has some major league experince, a 2.70 ERA and five saves for Syracuse. Everts was the Expos 2002 first round pick. In 2009, in over 57.1 IP at three levels (Potomac, Harrisburg & Syracuse), Everts has been outstanding (8-1, 1.41 ERA, 1.116 WHIP, 10.4 K/9). Spradlin is 4-3 with four saves and has a 3.19 ERA and 1.212 WHIP across AAA-AA in 44 games. He has struck out an even 7.0 per nine.

Wilkie was an unheralded pitcher from George Washington University (sound familiar?) and has been promoted twice this season. Novoa has a great change but has only been "just decent" this season, despite being promoted three times this season. Zinicola (6.04 ERA) has struggled this year.

OTHER HITTERS

Most of them are already with the big club. Rizzo said the other day he doesn't envision calling up a third catcher just for the heck of it. Montz is the only other catcher on the 40-man, and he's really regressed this season (.184/.295/.314 in 347 plate appearances) after hitting 16 homers last season.

Could Seth Bynum (.263/.306./453, 18 HR, 62 RBI in 433 ABs), Kory Casto (.268/.332/.373, 7-55), Norris Hopper (.291/.342/.344, 23 SBs), Brad Eldred (.267/.338/.478, 16-56) or Daryle Ward (.235/.320/.389, 12-45) get promoted? Possible, but not likely. The only compelling possibility is Hopper, who is a plus defender in center. But you have to figure whatever at bats Wee Willie Harris doesn't get are going to go to Justin Maxwell, in what could make or break his tenure in the organization.

SURE TO BE INCORRECT PREDICTIONS

The Nats add a bunch of arms, but just one more hitter, injury notwithstanding.

From the 40-man: RHPs Balester, Detwiler, Martis, Estrada and SS Desmond

Need to be added to 40-man: RHP Everts and Segovia and LHP Spradlin

Your guess is as good as mine, though. Let's hear 'em in the comments.

Washington Nationals Beat Chicago Cubs, 15-6!!! Bring Back LIVAN HERNANDEZ!!!!

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:16:42 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y Huh - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Elijah Dukes (34) celebrates with Adam Dunn (44) and Ryan Zimmerman after Dukes hit a grand slam against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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HEADLINES:

• Nationals Win Big In Wrigley.

• 15 runs, 14 hits, 2 doubles, 3 HR's, 7 two-out RBI's, and as MASN's Bob Carpenter stressed several times throughout last night's broadcast, only 3 LOB, and the Nationals were 5-9 with runners in scoring position as Washington walked into Chicago's Wrigley Field and put a 15-6 beating on Carlos Zambrano and the struggling Cubs. There was a strong wind blowing out toward center by all reports, but the HR's the Nationals hit needed no help. Josh Willingham, who scored the first run of the game on a sac fly in the second, sent a 1-1 fastball from Zambrano out of the park in left center in the fourth and Elijah Dukes hit a line drive grand slam to left center on a first pitch change from Aaron Heilman in the fifth, after which Willingham returned to hit a three-run HR in the eighth that gave DC a 10-run lead in what ends up a 15-6 win.

• Nationals Sign Livan Hernandez.

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Livan signs deal, returns to Nationals", Washington's original ace Livan Hernandez is going to don the curly-W again as the 34-year-old right-hander reached an agreement with the Nationals Tuesday night. Washington Post writer Chico Harlan reported later last night that the Nationals would send right-handed starter Collin Balester to Syracuse to make room on the roster for the soft-tossing junkballer.

Nationals win, 15-6 final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

Check Out The SB Nation's Chicago Cubs Blog: Bleed Cubbie Blue Game Thread.

"Game 126: Today's 6-run inning much better than yesterday's" - Doghouse

BACKPAGE:

• E: 111, E: 112.

• Nationals' Prospects In The AFL

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 45-81. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...19)

BACKPAGE: (Under Construction)

• E: 111, E: 112.

Though the Nationals won big over Chicago, they still committed two errors to add to their Major League-leading total. E: 111 - Bottom of the fourth, Cubs' third baseman Aramis Ramirez pulls a sharp grounder to Ryan Zimmerman's backhand, Zim makes the play and makes a quick throw that bounces in front of Adam Dunn at first, who stretches to meet it but comes up empty; OUTCOME: Kosuke Fukudome K's with Ramirez running, and DC right-hander Garrett Mock gets the strike'em-out-throw'em-out and a grounder from Jake Fox to end the frame. E: 112 - Bottom of the eighth, Cristian Guzman gets a ground ball at short from Kosuke Fukudome and Guzman loses it, can't make the play and Fukudome reaches safely. OUTCOME: Saul Rivera retires the next three batters, Fukudome still on first when the inning ends.

• Nationals' Prospects In The AFL

MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reported early this afternoon, in an article entitled, "Strasburg, top picks highlight AFL", that the Washington Nationals would be sending both of their '09 1st Round picks, pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen out to Arizona this fall along with catching prospect Derek Norris. The full rosters were announced last night and it's Strasburg, Storen, Norris, SS Daniel Espinosa and 1B prospect Chris Marrero all on the Phoenix Desert Dogs' roster.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At Chicago Cubs. Game 126 Of 162.

The Amazing Willie Harris is leading off for the Nationals against the Cubs’ right-handed ace Carlos Zambrano, and he lines out to Milton Bradley in right for the first out of the game. Cristian Guzman’s thrown out by Ryan Theriot on a sharp grounder to short. Ryan Zimmerman takes a two-out walk in front of Adam Dunn, Dunn K’s trying to hold up on a two-strike slider outside, the third base ump thinks he went at least...Ryan Threriot rolls the first out of the Cubs’ first to Ronnie Belliard at second. Milton Bradley rips the first pitch from Garrett Mock by Ryan Zimmerman at third. Derrek Lee lines out real hard to center, Willie Harris has it. Garrett Mock comes inside on Aramis Ramirez and pops him up toward first for the final out of the frame.

Josh Willingham goes back up the middle with a leadoff single off Zambrano, and Ronnie Belliard follows with a line drive to center as well. Elijah Dukes grounds weakly to second but there’s no double play. Wil Nieves flies to center on a full-count pitch to score Willingham from third for a 1-0 lead. Garrett Mock K’s looking and heads back to the mound...Kosuke Fukudome’s grounder eats up Ronnie Belliard who just knocks it down, but can't play it. Garrett Mock pops up Jake Fox. Geovany Soto hits a ground ball to third, Ryan Zimmerman to Belliard to Adam Dunn at first, double play.

Willie Harris takes a fastball up high for a called strike three. Cristian Guzman pops out to Ryan Theriot behind short. Ryan Zimmerman skips the third out to short, and Theriot fields and throws...Ronnie Belliard catches a pop fly from Mike Fontenot that spins out to second. Garrett Mock throws a 2-0 fastball at the outside low corner and Carlos Zambrano hits an opposite field HR to tie it. Mock pops up Ryan Theriot. Milton Bradley singles again, this time on a line drive to right to bring up D. Lee. Mock comes inside with a rising fastball to Lee that’s a swinging strike three.

Adam Dunn K’s swinging through a full-count fastball outside. Josh Willingham hits one, oh lord does he hit one, out over the left center stands and onto Waveland Ave for an out-the-park job. 2-1 DC. Ronnie Belliard reaches on an field singles, and then Elijah Dukes bruises the ivy with hard line drive to left to score Belliard and Dukes takes third as the Cubs throw it around the infield. 3-1 Nats. Wil Nieves tries the suicide bunt and misses and Dukes just stands in front of home and gets tagged. Nieves lines out to end the top of the fourth...Aramis Ramirez grounds to Zim’s backhand but Adam Dunn can’t pick the long throw. Garrett Mock thows a two-strike fastball by a swinging Fukudome and Ramirez is running and thrown out at second. Jake Fox grounds back to the mound, Mock up 3-1 after four.

Garrett Mock grounds out to Theriot. Willie Harris gets hit and gets a free pass to first, before he takes third on Cristian Guzman’s humpbacked line drive over short. Ryan Zimmerman sends a broken bat liner through short as the barrell goes into the stands. Guzman to third, Harris scores, 4-1 DC. Adam Dunn walks to load the bases and Zambrano walks Willingham to force in a run, 5-1. Aaron Heilman comes on for Zambrano. Ronnie Belliard K’s swinging to waste an AB. Elijah SSSSSSUPER DUKESSSSSSSSSS goes yard, GRAND SLAM!! GRAND SLAM!!! 9-1 Nationals. Wil Nieves grounds out to second to end a six-run fifth...Garrett Mock throws a high two-strike fastball by Geovany Soto. Mike Fontenot works a one-out walk. Aaron Miles hits for Heilman, and with Miles up, Mock throws one by Wil Nieves. MIles K’s swinging through a full-count fastball outside. Ryan Theriot stares a curve all the way in for a called strike three and the end of the fifth.

Cubs’ lefty Sean Marshall gets Garrett Mock swinging. Willie Harris grounds out to Fontenot at second. Cristian Guzman grounds one back up the middle, but Ryan Theriot fields, spins and throws to end the inning...Milton Bradley goes to a full count against Mock, and takes a leadoff walk. Derrek Lee K’s chasing a fastball upstairs. Aramis Ramirez hits a line drive off the ivy, but Josh Willingham’s play keeps it a single. Fukudome drives in a run with an infield single to second. 9-2 DC. Jake Fox flies out to center. Geovany Soto lines to left, and Josh Willingham leaps at the wall and hits it hard as he misses, two runs score, 9-4. Mock’s done. Tyler Clippard pops up Mike Fontenot with one pitch.

Ryan Zimmerman lines to left and off the wall for a leadoff double. Adam Dunn K’s again on a rough night. Josh Willingham pinballs a grounder off Mike Fontenot and into center for an RBI single. 10-4 DC. Ronnie Belliard hits another line drive to left, Hammer to third, Belliard takes second when Fox bobbles it in left. Elijah Dukes gets the intentionals. Angel Guzman vs WIl Nieves with the bases loaded again. Nieves lines to right to score two, 12-4. Tyler Clippard grounds into an inning-ending DP...Tyler Clippard starts with a fly ball out to right off Jeff Baker’s bat. Ryan Theriot pops out behind second. Milton Bradley sends one up into the wind and it’s carried out to center to make it 12-5. D. Lee doubles to left center. Clippard pops up Aramis Ramirez foul of third to end the seventh.

Tom Gorzelanny takes over in the eighth. Willie Harris lines out to MIlton Bradley in right. Cristian Guzman stares a low fastball in for a called strike three. Ryan Zimmerman takes a two-out walk. Adam Dunn makes Zimmerman jump back before he moves to third on a line drive single. Josh Willingham takes a fastball inside out to left and GONE!!! Three-run HR!!! 15-5!!! Ronnie Belliard lines to left to end it...Saul "Sa-ool" Rivera gets a ground ball from Fukudome to short, but Guzman drops it. Jake Fox fouls strike three into Nieves’ glove. Geovany Soto K’s swinging over a two-strike Rivera curve. Groundout to Belliard at first from pinch hitter Sam Fuld to end the eighth.

Elijah Dukes walks to start the ninth. Wil Nieves gets robbed of a single by Jeff Baker who makes a glove toss to Theriot who throws to first for the DP. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to third to end the DC ninth...Saul Rivera vs Jeff Baker. HR to left center for Baker, solo shot, 15-6 DC. Ryan Theriot grounds out to short. Milton Bradley singles to center with one down. Bradley steals second with Derrek Lee up. D.Lee lines out to center. Fukudome pops out to short, Nationals win.

Nationals now 45-81.

Tuesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:13:21 -0000

More photos » by Charles Dharapak - AP

Hey look, untucked shirts!

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Some things to read while getting that long-awaited promotion.

Well, today is the day you may or may not have been waiting for, as Jeff Suppan returns from the DL to make his first start since July 27. Even before going on the DL, Suppan had gone nearly a month and a half without a win (dating back to June 12), and was knocked around in two rehab starts before being activated. I haven't decided on my evening plans yet, but I think it's fair to say this: If you're only going to miss one Brewer game this season, tonight might be a good one to skip.

No roster move has been annnounced to make room for Suppan, but it's being assumed that a position player will be sent down to give the Brewers an extra bullpen arm for what could be a long week. That player will most likely be Hernan Iribarren. Nats320 enjoyed watching Iribarren play this week, mostly because of his name.

Collin Balester shut the Brewers down for five innings yesterday before the Brewers broke through in the sixth. Even with the rough conclusion, it was a huge improvement over his previous outing and Baseball Musings notes that Balester did it while working on a small change at the end of his delivery. Balester has posted a 4.91 ERA in 11 innings against the Brewers this season and a 7.92 ERA against the rest of baseball.

The Brewers will face a depleted Reds roster this week, for whatever that's worth: In the last week, they had already placed Willy Taveras, Johnny Cueto and Aaron Harang on the DL, and yesterday outfielder Chris Dickerson (ankle) and catcher Ryan Hanigan (hit by foul ball) joined them.

Dave Bush is expected to return from the DL on Thursday for the final game in this series, and while the game was previously going to go untelevised, FS Wisconsin has picked it up, so we'll all be able to see how he looks in his return.

Despite winning three of four this weekend, the Brewers moved up a few spots and are now projected to draft #12 in Andy Seiler's 2010 draft projection.

On power rankings and playoff odds:

WhatifSports dropped the Brewers two spots to #19.
The Sporting News has the Brewers at #18.
Cool Standings gives the Brewers a 1% shot at making the playoffs.

Once each year, TangoTiger asks fans to help evaluate defense as part of the Fans Scouting Report. This year's evaluation forms are open, but just 11 Brewer fans have checked in to help rate the players we watch everyday. Take a moment today to add your thoughts.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Placed Edwin Encarnacion on the DL with a hamstring strain.
Royals: Released reliever Ron Mahay.

This seems doubly appropriate on the day of the return of Jeff Suppan: MGL wonders if elevating a pitcher's pitch count is always a good move. In the case of a below average starter (see Suppan, Jeff), teams might actually be handicapping themselves by chasing them from the game faster and moving to a potentially more effective bullpen pitcher.

This year's Arizona Fall League may have significantly more star power than usual. On top of the expected professional debut of Stephen Strasburg, the Braves are now expected to send Jason Heyward, baseball's #1 prospect, to play in the league.

Ever wonder what it's like to be on the road with a MLB team? Alyson Footer is on the road with the Astros for the next ten days, taking lots of pictures and detailing the life of a traveling major leaguer. Interesting stuff.

Happy birthday today to Rollie Fingers, who turns 63. Also, Sam Narron, who pitched for the Cardinals in the 30's and 40's and is the grandfather of the Brewer farmhand with the same name, would have turned 96 today.

That's all I have for you today, unless you wanted to read about Brandon Inge's tattoos.

Drink up.

Milwaukee Brewers, 7-1 Over Washington Nationals To Take 3 Of 4 In DC.

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:21:03 -0000

More photos » by Charles Dharapak - AP

3 months ago: Milwaukee Brewers, from left to right, Jason Kendall, Mitch Stetter, Prince Fielder, and Casey McGehee celebrate after their 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals after a baseball game Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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3 Out Of 4 And 6 Out Of 7.

• In what our resident escaped physicist, the estimable Doghouse, accurately described as the, "Worst. Inning. Ever.", in last night's post game Fangraph, five solid innings of work by DC right-hander Collin Balester and a 1-0 DC lead were undone in the sixth inning of this afternoon's game when the Milwaukee Brewers put eight-straight batters on base and collected 6 hits, 2 walks and 6 runs, (a single, double, home run, 4 ER and a walk off Balester, and a walk, single and 2 ER off Nationals' reliever Jason Bergmann), for the third loss in the four game series with Milwaukee and the Nationals' sixth loss out of seven games in the week-long homestand.

• Coming off a 1.1 inning outing in his last start, Collin Balester began the late afternoon affair against Milwaukee with 5.0 scoreless innings over which he threw 66 pitches and gave up just 2 hits to the visiting Brewers, but it all went wrong when he gave up a leadoff double on an 0-2 curveball to Frank Catalanotto and followed that with a first pitch fastball to Ryan Braun that ended up in left field for a instant 2-1 Brewers' lead to start the top of the sixth inning that wouldn't end...Milwaukee righty Yavoni Gallardo earns his 12th win, (12-10, 3.51 ERA), with a 5.0 innings of work, throwing 108 pitches, 62 for strikes and allowing just 4 hits, 4 walks and 1 ER with 8 K's on the day and 179 on the season in 164.1 IP.

Brewers win, 7-1 final.

• Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's Milwaukee Brewers Blog: Brew Crew ball GameThread.

• "Game 125: Worst. Inning. Ever." by Doghouse

Coming Soon:

• Blogger Day Interview With The Nationals' Assistant Director Of Player Development, Mark Scialabba.

• Potomac Nationals Weekly Update: Washington Nationals' Prospect Tim Pahuta Stats.

Nationals now 44-81. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...19)

Brewers 7, Nationals 1

KLSnow — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:47:27 -0000

More photos » by Charles Dharapak - AP

Today wasn't Yovani's best day, but he pitched well enough to give the team a chance to get him his 12th win, and for once, the bats came through.

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W: Yovani Gallardo (12-10)
L: Collin Balester (1-4)

HR: Ryan Braun (27), Jody Gerut (5)

MVP: Ryan Braun (+.168)
LVP: Alcides Escobar (-.024)

Win Expectancy Graph
SBNation Coverage

A series win!

The Brewers, perhaps weirded out by a 4:30 local time start, were held nearly silent for the first five innings of today's (tonight's?) game, but exploded for six in the sixth and never looked back. The first eight Brewers reached in the inning, including a two run shot from Ryan Braun and RBI base hits from Jason Kendall and Jody Gerut. Gerut also added a solo shot late in the game, becoming one of just two Brewers to record multiple hits: Prince Fielder was the other, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

Yovani Gallardo struggled today but managed to pitch just well enough to keep the Brewers in the game. Despite allowing eight baserunners, Gallardo allowed just one earned run in five innings, partly due to his eight strikeouts. Claudio Vargas, David Weathers and Mitch Stetter combined to pitch four shutout innings to close the door.

Washington Nationals: Blogger Day Interview With Josh Willingham, Garrett Mock And Collin Balester.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:47:49 -0000

Washington Nationals: Blogger Day 2.0 - Player Interviews: Josh Willingham, Garrett Mock and Collin Balester.

For the second time this season, the Washington Nationals gave a group of Nationals bloggers access to their players, coaches and Front Office personnel so we could report back on the state of the team and their thinking heading into the last month of the 2009 season. In the first of a series of four interviews I'll post in the next few days, we were given the opportunity to interview left fielder Josh Willingham and starters Garrett Mock and Collin Balester. What follows is the full transcript of the 11:56 "press" conference that took place this afternoon. (ed. note - "I did however paraphrase the questions for brevity's sake..."):

Q: Looking toward the end of the season, what has the team accomplished to help them going forward.

Josh Willingham: "Well, I think when you look at where we've come since Spring Training, I think a lot more pieces are in place now, you know, and you kind of know where your future is heading, like, you talk about getting a guy that can be a leadoff hitter and get on base and steal bases, we got that in Nyjer (Morgan). Also a guy that can roam around and cover a lot of the ground in the outfield. So you kind of fill...we were in need of a center fielder that could really play defense, you know pretty much the whole year, and we got him and also a leadoff man so you kinda killed two birds with one stone. Obviously, our starting pitching is talented but young, and it's one of those things where you're gonna to have to kind of let them grow into the player that they're going to be. As far as our lineup, you know, I think our lineup's been pretty steady all year, and we've got some pieces in the middle of that lineup, when we get Flo (Jesus Flores) back next year, that we'll have a chance to make some noise next year, but I mean, I think this year has been kind of a building process and trying to get to where, get the pieces in place to get where we need to go."

(Continued After The JUMP!!!!!)

(cont.)...

Q: How frustrating was it for you earlier in the season when you weren't playing every day?

Josh Willingham: "Well, it was frustrating because I'd always played every day, or not every day, but I've always been an everyday player, since I started playing in the big leagues, so, that was obviously frustrating, it was something I've never done before, but it's also something I couldn't control, so once I realized I couldn't control it, I sort of stop worrying about. And, in this game, there's so many things you can't control so you just kind of have to focus on the ones that you can, so..."

Q: What differences resulted from the change in pitching coaches from Randy St. Claire to Steve McCatty?

Collin Balester: "You know, with St. Claire, he was more about looking at video and looking at things, that uh, you know more along the lines of what these hitters can't hit in this league, and what these guys, what their weaknesses are instead of our strenghts, as a pitching staff, and McCatty, you know, one thing he stresses the most is pitching to our strengths instead of trying to pitch to their weaknesses if that might not be our strengths. So, as a whole it's been just a better atmosphere as far as just throwing our pitches that we want to throw to these guys instead of trying to pitch around these guys and throw stuff that we might not feel comfortable throwing to these guys, and I think it's a positive outlook, you know, right now, we're still a little young and still learning how to pitch up here, but uh, he's helping us through it and I think, in the long run, it's going to be a much better pitching staff in the next couple years..."

Garrett Mock: "He touched on pretty much all the points, I mean "Cat's" biggest thing is pitch to contact, trust the defense, and um, you know being, kind of echoing what Bally said, being a little bit younger pitching staff, I mean, I'm not necessarily young, I'm 26, but you know, as far as experience goes, I'm still pretty young, especially considering major league baseball and my time here, Cat's biggest thing is pitch to contact, trust the defense, and you know you might go out and have the best stuff on the best day in perfect conditions and you might not be successful, cause you're trying to do too much, and then on a day when you don't have your best stuff and you have to battle through it and you just have to just grind it out and put the ball over the plate, those are the days you end up having more success cause you're trusting the defense and pitching to contact, so, what Bally says is right on and, just pitch to contact..."

Q: How has being moved around between the bullpen and rotation affected you?

Garrett Mock: "It's been an adjustment, although it's been unfortunate, you know to have to be here and you know it's a dream come true, and then have to go Triple-A, which is, I mean, it's baseball. It's been a very very good learning experience for me, I've gotten to see the game from a couple different of points of view, at different times, and against different teams, so it's been tough at some points, adjusting my routine, but it's not anything that I don't think I've been, it hasn't been too tough to handle and to make those adjustments and you know, it's been a great learning experience..."

Q: From a player's perspective, would you like to see the draft, how amateurs enter the league change?

Josh Willingham: "I really hadn't thought about that, that's, I'll let the people that have to think about it think about it, but um, I really don't have a comment on that...

Collin Balester: "As far as the signing bonuses are concerned, I think, it's a thing where, you know, these players, in the amateur, like high school, college, they want to get their signing bonus, and to get all their money there and hold out, and I think, just going through that whole process and doing that, and obviously it's a little different, I don't have to go through it again, but you know, I think, uh, these players need to learn that it's not the signing bonus that's going to get you all your money, it's playing in the big leagues and making a name for yourself at that point, and uh, I think that's the one thing that, I guess American players don't understand, is that you gotta earn your way through it instead of trying to get $15 million...or, not saying that, you know cause I think he's a great player, Strasburg, but, just trying to uh, (uncomfortable laughter), I'm saying, as a whole, they're trying to get as much money as they can in their signing bonus instead of working their way through the minor leagues and earning their keep in this league, and I think that's the only difference of uh, the mindset of these guys, year after year, I think something needs to change in that whole aspect of it..."

Q: Collin, you played down in the minors with Clint Everts and Chris Marrero, who had big signing bonuses, were they treated any differently down there?

Collin Balester: "I think that all gets blown out of proportion, I think, I think everyone gets treated the same, you know, there's no difference, some people just make more money at the beginning than others, and you know, once you get in it's everyone's treated the same and it's just a way of, uh, who's going to work harder to get to the top."

Q: Josh, When the ball goes into the gap and Nyjer Morgan's playing there, do you tend not to run as hard?

Josh Willingham: "I usually run as hard..."

Q: Do you give way to him every single time right now?

Josh Willingham: "Well, I mean, if he calls the ball, I'm getting out of the way. I don't want to catch it when he's calling it. So, I wouldn't say you run any slower or any harder, you still go after the ball the same, he just gets to so much more stuff, you know, the balls that, you know, the center fielder and I earlier in the year were going all out after in the gap, he's getting to those balls, it just makes a world of difference."

Q: How much attention did you pay to the signing of a big name pitcher? (Like Strasburg?)

Josh WIllingham: "Well, I mean, I don't get wrapped up in it at all. I think it's very important that we signed him, because you want...as an organization, you need to sign your top picks, and the picks that are talented and are going to help you win down the road, but as far as me personally, or players in general, we don't get wrapped up in it, we have enough to worry about, you know, playing every day."

Q: Are you looking forward to playing the spoiler's role the rest of the season?

Garrett Mock: "I mean, from my standpoint, I'm not going to go hit a three-run homer like Josh will, I think there's uh, there's a lot of stuff that goes into it, as far as spoiling someone's playoff dreams, I mean, for me personally, I'm not going to go out on the mound with that mindset, I just think that, you know, as a starting pitcher, or a bullpen guy, or as a defensive or as an offensive player, you have a job to do just for that day, like today for this game, you know, if I'm starting, my job is to keep my team in the ballgame, try to save the bullpen's arms a little bit, and uh, kinda going back to what I said a minute ago, you know, just pitch to contact, get the game going and uh, try to give the team a chance to win. As far as the pressure of the playoff and all that, I think that's more on the other side, if I can do something and play a part to put a quality start up and play the spoiler, then that's great, but as far as the mindset of we're going to go ruin someone's day..I think we just want to go out and just win..."

Josh WIllingham: "I think, having a chance to play, to ruin the Mets' chances the last couple years being with the Marlins, it's not like you want to go out and win anymore, but the atmosphere there, especially when you're on the road, is playoff atmosphere and that's fun to play in, that's why you want to play in and win those games..."

The End

Stephen Strasburg Day In Washington, D.C. Nationals Welcome #1 Overall Pick!!!!

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:20:27 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

6 months ago: FILE - In this April 3, 2009, file photo, San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws during a game in San Diego. The Washington Nationals selected Strasburg with the No. 1 overall pick in the baseball draft on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

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LIVE CHAT: MLB.com Is hosting a LIVE CHAT with Stephen Strasburg at 11:30 am this morning. Submit ?'s starting at 10:00 am EST. (UPDATE: Live chat canceled...BOO!)

Asked by XM's The Show hosts Rob Dibble and Jody McDonald what the Nationals' plans for Stephen Strasburg were, the Washington Nationals' new GM Mike Rizzo explained that the team had, "...a very specific plan for Stephen, we had it before we signed him..." :

"...it was a plan devised by myself and the pitching coordinators and given to Stephen even before we signed him. The plan is to...we're going to assess him, see where he's at in his throwing program. He hasn't pitched competitively since May 28th, so with that long layover, we're going to have to (wind?) him up slowly, and getting on a pitching program that gives us a progression that gets him to competitive pitching. It's usually a 4-5 week progression that gets him built up so he can throw 5 or 6 innings of full ball without any risk of hurting his arm. So that leads us to probably getting several innings in the Florida instructional league and building him up to get him ready to pitch in the Arizona Fall League in October..."

So while you won't see Strasburg pitch in DC this season, you will be able to see the Nationals' newest pitcher this afternoon when Washington (the city and the team) welcomes the 21-year-old right-handed flamethrower to Nationals Park for an introductory press conference. The Nationals have sold thousands of $1 tickets to ensure that there is a crowd there to greet the young pitcher, who will attend a press conference at 2:00 pm EST and then throw out the first pitch before the first of four between the Washington Nationals and visiting Milwaukee Brewers tonight.

Strasburg, 21!!!, who agreed to a 4-year/$15.1 million dollar deal minutes before Monday night's deadline to sign '09 Draft picks, finished his junior year at San Diego State University with a (13-1) record and a 1.32 ERA in 15 starts and 109.0 IP over which he allowed just 65 hits, 16 ER and 19 walks while striking out 195 and holding opponents to a .172 AVG.

If you haven't spent the last year obsessing over the Nationals' #1 pick, now's the time to catch up:

Federal Baseball.com's Top 10 Strasburg Posts After The JUMP...